Nigeria Prioritises Industrial Manpower Development For Economic Growth

President Bola Tinubu has announced Nigeria’s first-ever National Industrial Manpower Development Policy, underscoring the critical role of the country’s workforce in driving economic growth.

Speaking at the National Industrial Manpower Summit (NIMS) 2025 in Abuja, he emphasised that Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people—not its natural resources.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President highlighted the urgent need to invest in Nigeria’s young population, warning that failing to do so could lead to severe economic setbacks.

During his keynote address, President Tinubu stressed the importance of closing the gap between educational outcomes and the skills required by industries. The summit, themed “Manpower Development: The Bridge Between Potential and Productivity,” brought together government officials, industry leaders, academia, and international partners to formulate practical strategies for workforce growth.

Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu said, “With a median age of about seventeen, Nigeria’s youthfulness is both a gift and a responsibility. We must ensure our young people are central to our national development agenda.” He emphasised that human capital improvements, supported by infrastructure and sound policies, are essential for national progress.

President Tinubu called for closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to align education and training with industry demands, particularly in light of advancing disruptive technologies.

He advocated for establishing an industrial skills database, sector-specific manpower roadmaps, and greater recognition for vocational trades such as welding, machining, and software engineering.

Government ministers echoed his sentiments, describing the summit as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s economic transformation.

At the same time, the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted the policy’s potential to attract domestic investment and boost industrialisation. In contrast, the minister of state for Industry, John Enoh, praised the initiative as fulfilling President Tinubu’s vision.

On his part, the minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, emphasised the importance of unified skills development and certification frameworks. At the same time, the senior special assistant to the president on Industrial Training and Development, Adamson Ayinde Oluwatoyin, described the summit as a turning point, aligning workforce development with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The summit also featured displays of made-in-Nigeria goods, reinforcing the country’s growing industrial capacity as part of its broader economic goals.